Fair Share of the Past

FortyTwo-Lolo's Hug

Chapter Forty Two.

"Senyorita Venice!" Nagulat na sabi ni kuya Guard.

"Anjan ba si Lolo?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"nasa taas po Senyorita. pumasok na po kayo." tumuloy naman akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay. dito ako nagpahatid mula sa ospital.

"Senyorita!" nagulat na sabi ni Aleng saka lumapit sakin. "Kayo nga!" masayang sabi nya.

"Aleng." nginitian ko sya. "asan si Lolo?"

"Nasa silid nya po." tumango nalang ako saka umakyat papunta sa kwarto ni Lolo. kumatok muna ako.

"tumuloy ka." narinig kong sabi ni Lolo.

dahan dahan kong binuksan yung pinto.

nakatalikod sakin si Lolo ng pumasok ako nakaupo sya sa teresa ng kwarto nya.

"Aleng-" napatigil sya ng humarap sya at hindi si Aleng yung nakita nya.

"Georgina!" nagulat na sabi nya.

lumapit ako sa kanya saka humalik sa kamay nya saka sa pisngi.

"Abuelo," i said softly and gave him a little smile. umupo ako sa kama nya.

"may ipaglilingkod ba ko sayo, Nieta? kamusta ka na?" tanong ni lolo saka umupo rin sa tabi ko.

"Wala po. sasampalin nyo din po ba ko Lo?" i asked seriously. tumawa naman sya saka inakbayan ako.

"At bakit ko naman gagawin iyon?" tanong nya. niyakap nya ko.

"hindi ba kayo galit sakin? i left without hi's or hello's." i bit my lower lip.

"naintindihan kita nung umalis ka. ganun ka naman lagi. aalis kapag nasasaktan. at hindi naman kita masisisi nun. lahat kami sinasabi sayo kung anu ang dapat mong gawin." paliwanag nya.

"Bat si Daddy, Lolo hindi nya ko naintindihan?" i said softly.

"kasi ang Daddy mo. may pinagdadaanan ngayon. kung may isang bagay naman na sobra naming ginawa ng daddy mo. yun ay mahalin ka ng sobra. dahil sa sobrang pagmamahal namin sayo. we both want whats best for you and Angelo is one of them. you Loved him. Alejandro thought Angelo was just courting you before because he asked him to do so. but no. i can see love apo. it was there in his eyes the first time he ever saw you. it was your 18th birthday and he's up in your terrace watching you. i was watching him too. the merger would take place with or without your marriage. we just need somebody to trust you with. and Angelo is the perfect candidate." he said and looked at me. tumayo na sya. "come. i'll show you something." hinawakan nya yung braso ko saka dinala sa isang pinto ng kwarto nya. if i'm not mistaken. its his studio. Lolo paints.

binuksan nya yung ilaw saka pumasok sa loob. my jaw drop when i went in..

"i'm your biggest fan." he said and chuckled.

he is. indeed.

this room is no longer his studio. puno to ng mga magazines ko saka wallpapers and posters. lahat ng mga ginagawa ko. photoshoot and everything nandito.

"i may not say it often. but i'm proud of you baby. you reached the top on your own. we were watching you. pinababayaan ka lang namin kasi alam namin na nasasaktan ka pa. at natatakot kami sa dami ng tao na may gustong gawin sayo na masama. the last straw was Madrid. he needs you to marry him to save his company. he wants you for your money. before you fell in his charms we decided to drag you home." napatingin ako kay lolo.

"Andrew wants me for my money?" i asked.

"yes. he wants you for your money. he has a serious gambling problem thats why he needs you." niyakap ako ni Lolo.